The Silkie Wife
Shetland and Orkney Islands

Those in the Shetland and Orkney Islands who know no better, are persuaded 
at the seals, or silkies, as they call them, can doff their coverings at times, 
and disport themselves as men and women.

A fisher once turning a ridge of rock, discovered a beautiful bit of green turf
adjoining the shingle, sheltered by rocks on the landward side, and over this turf 
and shingle two beautiful women chasing each other. Just at the man's feet lay two 
sealskins, one of which he took up to examine it. The women, catching sight of him, 
screamed out, and ran to get possession of the skins. One seized the article on the 
ground, donned it in a thrice, and plunged into the sea; the other wrung her hands, 
cried, and begged the fisher to restore her property; but he wanted a wife, and 
would not throw away the chance. He wooed her so earnestly and lovingly, that she 
put on some woman's clothing which he brought her from his cottage, followed him home, 
and became his wife.

Some years later, when their home was enlivened by the presence of two children, 
the husband, awakening one night, heard voices in conversation from the kitchen. 

Stealing softly to the room door, he heard his wife talking in a low tone with someone 
outside the window. The interview was just at an end, and he had only time to ensconce 
himself in bed, when his wife was stealing across the room. He was greatly disturbed, 
but determined to do or say nothing till he should acquire further knowledge.

Next evening, as he was returning home by the strand, he spied a male and female 
phoca sprawling on a rock a few yards out at sea.

The rougher animal, raising himself on his tail and fins, thus addressed the 
astonished man in the dialect spoken in these islands, "You deprived me of her 
whom I was to make my companion; and it was only yesternight that I discovered 
her outer garment, the loss of which obliged her to be your wife. I bear no malice, 
as you were kind to her in your own fashion; besides, my heart is too full of joy 
to hold any malice. Look on your wife for the last time."

The other seal glanced at him with all the shyness and sorrow she could force into 
her now uncouth features; but when the bereaved husband rushed toward the rock to 
secure his lost treasure, she and her companion were in the water on the other side 
of it in a moment, and the poor fisherman was obliged to return sadly to his motherless 
children and desolate home.

Water Spirit Legends
translated and/or edited by

D. L. Ashliman 
 1998 

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